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At the heart of country musician Jon Randall's new CD, Walking Among the Living, there's a bit of family history. The singer-songwriter's "North Carolina Moon" is an update of a tune that his father began to write when Randall was still in high school.

Brazilian singer Ceu loves soul, jazz, hip-hop and afro-pop. And those influences are apparent on her new self-titled CD. But the foundation underlying it all is the Brazilian samba. "It's what sticks to the soles of my feet, " she says.

Fanny Ardant is not a household name here in the United States, but in France she is a superstar. The 58-year-old actress appears in a new film Paris, Je T'aime, which is comprised of 18 vignettes about life in Paris.

Making a video go viral is not only harder than it looks, it's also become a popular way for companies to market their products. The question is, does anyone care if it's not authentic, as long as it's funny?

Spindle, a sculpture that features eight cars impaled on a 50-foot spike, gained worldwide exposure in Wayne's World. It is slated for removal in order to make way for a Walgreens in Berwyn, Ill. Dustin Shuler, the sculptor, talks about his work and the controversy.

As a director, Robert DeNiro enjoys helping fellow actors develop the characters they're playing. DeNiro's latest directing efforts include The Good Shepherd, a new movie about secrets and idealism during the Cold War.

Ben Fountain's first novel, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, was nominated for the 2012 National Book Award. He's well-read for 2013, so we thought we'd ask him what to look forward to in the book world.

Performing three songs from Before We Forgot How To Dream, Irish singer-songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson makes the most of a single voice and an acoustic guitar.

Singer Jill Sobule has been charming critics with her smart and witty pop music for more than a decade. For the artwork of her latest CD, Underdog Victorious, she incorporated her love of crossword puzzles. Sobule talks with NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz and NPR's Liane Hansen.

Bruce Hornsby performs songs that span a 20-year career, in a live appearance at NPR. The Grammy Award-winning songwriter also talks about his collaborations with artists of almost every musical genre.

Like most independent musicians, singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey relies on the Internet to share and sell his music. But ultimately, he makes a living the old-fashioned way: performing in bars and coffeehouses from Anchorage to Dublin, and building a career one fan at a time. Reporter Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers recently hitched a ride with Mulvey on tour.

British singer-songwriter James Hunter discovered his earliest musical influences in a stack of his grandmother's 78s, a collection of Jackie Wilson and other pre-Beatles R&B. His new CD sounds as if it could have been recorded in the 1950s but has a timeless feel.

Gospel singer Vickie Winans is best known for her electrifying stage presence -- she can light up concert hall or church with her rousing versions of gospel standards. She's embarked on a nationwide tour, bringing her signature style to a new generation of fans.

Three Latino dads listen to children's music from the past and present.

"Good music is good music," violinist Angèle Dubeau says. The Canadian musician interprets theme music from Halo, Angry Birds and other video games on her latest album.

In a tiny village in central Cameroon, musician Blick Bassy discovered his sound. Bassy now lives in Paris, but he continues to sing in his native language, Bassa. Bassa is one of the 250 or so languages spoken in Cameroon, and Bassy fears it is dying out.

Growing up in 1960s Nebraska, Linda Hernandez and her sister were among the few Latino students in town. When it was time to take the SAT, their guidance counselor told them not to bother. She told them that "all we would do is have babies," Linda says.

New York City announced reforms this week following the death of a 7-year-old girl allegedly killed by her stepfather. Some experts are voicing concerns about the city's emphasis on keeping families together. Cindy Rodriguez of member station WNYC reports.

Israel's Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resigns from his post in protest of Israel's planned pullout from the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appointed Vice Premier Ehud Olmert to replace Netanyahu.

The National Football League has a diversity problem, which it acknowledged this week. Team owners announced new hiring rules to increase numbers of women and people of color in their organizations.

Esteban Castillo's latest cookbook is Chicano Bakes, a celebration of his favorite traditional recipes from la panadería, or bakery.

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain spoke before the American Legion national convention Tuesday in Phoenix. It was a friendly audience for the one-time prisoner of war in Vietnam. McCain attacked Barack Obama's foreign policy, and vowed to protect and improve health care for veterans.

Nearly three dozen endangered sea turtles were released into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Georgia. They had come from northern states where they'd been stunned by cold waters.

The legislature is gearing up for its annual session next month and its bill drafting system is hobbled. It's forcing lawmakers to change how they do business.

Politicians, celebrities and thousands of mourners honored civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks Monday at a memorial service in Washington, D.C. Her remains lay in honor in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol over the weekend, a first for a woman.